Probably the 2nd best of the Radio City portion of the 3-set Fall '80 shows, and in the top 5 from the 25-show 3SF80 series. It was pro-shot for Showtime special An Evening With the Grateful Dead, which used six from this night. It has:
On the Road    10/30
Must've Roses 10/29
Ripple              10/29
Samson           10/30
Ramble            10/31
Truckin'            10/30
Drums              10/30
Space               10/30
The Other One 10/30
Good Lovin'      10/31
U.S. Blues        10/29
It also has some Franken & Davis skits not on Dead Ahead, including "Jerry's finger in a box".

First Set. Like the electric versions in '76, Dark Hollow is excellent on any given night of 3SF80. Brent whips off an electric piano solo & Jer's solo is astonishing for acoustic. On the Road Again is quintessential. When this version came out later on Reckoning, they promoted it by adding it to their set on Snyder's Tomorrow Show (7May81). It worked on me - this was the first song to perk my ears about the acoustic Dead so I bought it (well yeah we saw it; there was nothing else on TV in that time slot at the time!). The "turn off the lights" chant is funny. In this setting the band interacted readily (house lights were on for the film crew). The patter adds to the also-quintessential To Lay Me Down. Phil sneaks in for the end part of Heaven Help. Of the 17 times it was played for 3SF80, this may be the best. Ripple was played each of the nights, but this seems to be the only one where Jer adds these fills. This is a unique and sterling set.

Second Set. Average '80 fare until the X is put into Mexicali (listen to Jer's take on the solo). Loser is also redeemed by a spiral stairs solo. The rest is really good, starting with Minglewood (T for New York City), and check Billy during Althea. As others have pointed out, the last pair are great. Lost Sailor is not the punchiest, but rather than histrionic it's smooth and well-tempered. This and Saint are almost as good as the 5/16 pair.

Third Set. There were only two examples of Shakedown in 3SF80, and this one is slightly better. However, this is the best Samson of the ten played (and used to show up as filler during Blanks & Postage). Jer offers "steam locomotion" during He's Gone. Maybe he was thinking of Little Eva. It's almost a bathroom break but when the drummers kick in Jer starts doing runs up and down for a free-jazz section. Bobby waits and then cues everyone for Truckin'. It's tight enough, but typical of the other six from 3SF80. Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra) then joins in (he had joined Bobby's band that summer). It's unfortunate that Drums wasn't as well-shot as the previous night, because the visual is the better part. It's on the Showtime vid, but the version on Dead Ahead fades after ½min (while credits roll). The three stay out for Space, setting up for The Other One and staring at Phil, waiting for the rumble. It's a whirlwind version right from the start. The rest of the set is kush on a tray.

1st Set:  A+
2nd Set: B-
3rd Set:  B
Overall = 4½ stars

Highlights:
The whole first set - the quintessential acoustic Dead
Lost Sailor>Saint of Circumstance - smooth and well-tempered
Samson & Delilah - perfect
The Other One - strong, whirlwind

SOURCES: The wise_miller_101427 is a FOB AUD and distinctly the best available, non-vid source (though the balance is funky, 1st set). Showtime's An Evening used to circulate on VHS, with six of the songs from this night (On the Road; Samson; Truckin'>Drums>Space>The Other One). Three of these - Road, Samson, Truckin' (& a brief Drums) - are also on Dead Ahead. That video has two from this night on the VHS (Road, To Lay Me Down) and 5 more on the DVD (Heaven, Shakedown> Samson> He's Gone> Truckin'). The inexplicably short Dead Ahead CD also has those last five. On the Road is on Reckoning (the only song on both the original album and vid). The show is usually up on YouTube (with a slight cut in Drums>Space). Surely the whole show will be officially released in the near future.

10/23 third set, 10/26 second set and 10/30 first set worked for me.

entire 2nd set

Not great, show and very audience- heavy recording.

Everything about this night is good: Jim Wise's excellent audience recording, the song selection, and the energy level are all well, well above an average night. For me, though, the part that put is completely into the Otherworldly category is Drums > Space > the Other One. Billy Cobham does indeed join the drummers in the center of The Beast for this night, and the results are... well, honestly, the English language falls short in its ability to describe how good this is. It's my favorite Other One ever.

There is video of the Truckin > Drums > Space > Other One sequence from this night that was part of a Showtime special called "An Evening With The Grateful Dead." I have a copy of it on a very worn-out VHS tape. Why it wasn't released as part of the Dead Ahead DVD release's bonus footage, I have no idea. Somebody out there must have a better copy of it than me. It is exquisite to behold.... Jerry is smiling, happy, and so into The Other One that he's walking in place in rhythm to the music. To see him so animated and into it is very special.

Somebody release the video footage! Until then, get this audience recording and check out The Other One. This show flat-out rocks, people.

I was at this show crazy week. Went to 4 of the 8 shows. Can't get into the next/last night.

Billy Cobham also plays on The Other One. I saw it first hand. Loved this run. The 1st set is great.

How can I download this to itunes?

I am surprised to see so few downloads of this show and NO reviews?!?!

This IS MY FAVORITE DEAD SHOW! It has a great setlist, beautiful sound, some acoustic, some electric, some space, and an all around awesome recording.

The Lost Sailor> St. of Circumstance is the best recording I have. Althea, Alabama Getaway, Promised Land, Shakedown, Other One, Wharf Rat...awesome show.

I highly recommend this show!